Poison Gas by Maddie & Sofie


Development of Gas - who, when, development, advantages & disadvantages
- First tear gas grenades were used by the French in August 1914 against the Germans
  • did not kill, just incapacitated the enemy so that they were unable to defend themselves
- In October 1914, Germans used shrapnel that had been treated with chemicals
- Then Germans developed lethal poison gas in April 1915 against French
  • effects of gas were instant
  • chlorine gas cylinders - caused choking and destroyed respiratory organs which caused a slow, painful death
  • could only be used when had a favorable wind, sometimes the wind would change direction and cause the death of whoever released the gas (example: September 25, 1915: British released gas, but the gas blew back towards them causing 2,000 causalities)
  • britishgasmask.jpg(Sofie)
- 1916 - gas was developed to be used with heavy artillery
  • so that it wouldn't be blown back in the wind (like with the British in 1915)
  • Allowed for increase attack range
- began using Phosgene gas instead of chlorine - it rendered troops completely unable to keep fighting and would kill them within 48 hours
- September 1917 - Germany developed mustard gas
  • most lethal
  • only needed small amounts
  • stayed active for weeks
- Poison gas killed about 91,000 people total in WWI
Gas Masks
- Allied forces developed cotton masks soaked with urine
- Later used ammonia
- July 1915 - first gas masks developed with respirators
(Maddie)

Cites:
Trueman, Chris. "Poison Gas and World War One." History Learning Site. 18 Mar. 2009 <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/poison_gas_and_world_war_one.htm

Duffy, Michael. "Weapons of War - Poison Gas." First World War. 16 Mar. 2009 <http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm>.

Simkin, John. "Poison Gases." Spartacus International. 20 Mar. 2009 <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWgas.htm>.

Photographs:
First World War. Digital image. [British Gas Mask]. The War to End all Wars. 19 Mar. 2009 <http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/gas.htm>.